BMW diesel cars accused of exceeding pollution norms by 11 times

After Volkswagen made headlines last week for cheating over emission testing, German weekly Auto Bild on Thursday alleged that some diesel models of the rival automaker BMW emit dangerous gases exceeding the EU anti-pollution norms by up to 11 times.

The German auto-giant BMW’s some diesel cars have been accused of exceeding emission limits by 11 times. (HT File)

After Volkswagen made headlines last week for cheating over emission testing, German weekly Auto Bild on Thursday alleged that some diesel models of the rival automaker BMW emit dangerous gases exceeding the EU anti-pollution norms by up to 11 times.

The world auto industry is already shocked at Volkswagen’s emission testing scandal, in which the company accepted to have had installed software in up to 11 million cars that could cheat pollution tests.

“Volkswagen is not the only carmaker whose cars produce high levels of nitrogen oxide,” said the magazine, accusing certain vehicles of the BMW group of the same.

It quoted road tests carried out by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) which found that BMW’s X3 xDrive equipped with 20d diesel motors produce gas emissions that are 11 times higher than European limits.

“All these data show that the problem is not specific to VW,” Peter Mock from ICCT was quoted as saying.

The ICCT had been at the origin of the stunning revelations of cheating by Volkswagen, which went public last Friday when the United States announced a probe.

However, BMW has denied the reports that said it might have cheated in pollution tests on its diesel cars, as rival group VW has admitted to doing.

“The BMW group does not manipulate or rig any emissions tests. We observe the legal requirements in each country and adhere to all local testing requirements. There is no difference in the treatment of exhaust emissions whether they are on (test) rollers or on the road,” it said in a statement after the Auto Bild report was made open.

Amid investor jitters over the widening VW scandal, the report immediately sent BMW shares down by almost 10%, to an intraday low of 72.05 euros in late morning trade. By contrast, VW shares shot up 7.9% to hit an intraday high of €120.30, as investors went bargain hunting following the meltdown in the share price earlier this week as the extent of the scandal became apparent.